Electrodes for air conditioning apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an improved electrode of the type used in air conditioning apparatus for generating an electrostatic field, wherein at least one electrode is formed as a plate shaped carrier on which an insulating layer is disposed, an electrically conducting adhesive material being connected to one terminal of a direct current high voltage source and also serving to attach the insulating layer to the carrier.

United States Patent von Berckheim ELECTRODES FOR AIR CONDITIONINGAPPARATUS Inventor: Constantin Graf von Berckheim,

Friedrichstrasse 9, 6940 Weinheim (Bergstrasse), Germany Filed: Feb. 15,1974 Appl. No.: 443,012

Foreign Application Priority Data May 2, 1973 Germany 2322022 U.S. Cl.317/262 AE; 296/1; 313/313; 313/326; 317/2; 317/4 Int. Cl. H0lg H02bH0211 l-IOSf Field of Search 313/337, 346, 268, 326,

313/286; 296/1; 317/2, 2 D, 4, 262 AB References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS Crane 317/2 D June 3, 1975 3,378,726 4/1968 Lankow 317/2 D3,409,759 11/1968 Boicey et a1. r 313/337 X 3,440,091 4/1969 Delmore317/2 R X 3,541,390 11/1970 Jahnke 317/2 X 3,662,217 5/1972 vonBerckheim 317/4 Primary Examiner-Saxfield Chatmon, Jr. Attorney, Agent,or Firm-Michael S. Striker [57] ABSTRACT The invention relates to animproved electrode of the type used in air conditioning apparatus forgenerating an electrostatic field, wherein at least one electrode isformed as a plate shaped carrier on which an insulating layer isdisposed, an electrically conducting adhesive material being connectedto one terminal of a direct current high voltage source and also servingto attach the insulating layer to the carrier.

6- Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ELECTRODES FOR AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an improvedelectrode used in air conditioning apparatus generating an electrostaticfield, for example in vehicles, as described in US. Pat. No. 3,583,754.

Electrodes are known, which use an electrically conductive layersuperimposed on an insulated carrier, the conductive layer beingprotected by an additional insulating layer, e.g. from German Pat. DT-l630 187. This insulating layer can be either protective, decorative, ormay be simply used so that the electrodes can be cleaned more easily.The insulating layer need not change the electrostatic field markedly;it can be very thin or even cover the conductive layer only partially.

Three layers must be combined during the fabrication of electrodes ofthis type. Means are therefore required to attach the electricallyconductive layer to the carrier, and other means to attach theinsulating or protective layer to the electrically conductive layer.

It is one object of the invention to arrive at an electrode constructionof the type described where the carrier, the electrically conductivelayer and the insulating or protective layer can be combined in asimpler fashion than has hitherto been possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an air conditioningapparatus of the type where an electrostatic field is establishedbetween two electrodes, one electrode being connected to a positiveterminal and the other electrode being connected to a negative terminalof a dc. high voltage source. According to the invention, either or bothof the electrodes will be composed of a plate shaped carrier with aninsulating layer superimposed on that carrier, with a layer ofelectrically conducting adhesive material serving to attach theinsulating layer to the carrier and being itself connected with oneterminal of the high voltage source.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is adiagrammatic verticalsection through a motor vehicle provided with an electrode constructionaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line A-A of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 shows a fragmentary bottom plan view of the electrodeconstruction depicted in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 shows a fragmentary perspective view of a self-adhesive foil foruse in constructing an electrode according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The objective of the inventionis accomplished by using as the electrically conductive layer of theelectrode an electrically conductive adhesive layer, by

means of which the insulating layer is attached to the carrier. Sincethe electrically conductive adhesive layer then serves two functions,is. adhering to the carrier and also being electrically conductive, itis then merely necessary to attach the insulating layer to the carrierby means of the electrically conductive adhesive layer; this simplifiesthe manufacturing process for the electrodes. Since the currents inelectrodes used for electrostatic air conditioning apparatus of the kinddescribed are exceedingly small, no great demands are made on theelectrical conductivity of the adhesive material.

The type of construction adopted according to this invention has thefurther advantage that the electrically conductive layer is attached tothe insulating layer without any additional interposed attachment means.The electrostatic field need therefore traverse only the thin insulatinglayer.

The invention has the further advantage that it is no longer necessaryto provide additional attachment means between a contact connected tothe voltage source, and the electrically conductive layer. It is merelynecessary to adhere the contact to the electrically conducting adhesivelayer, which automatically ensures an electrical connectiontherebetween.

In a currently preferred embodiment a contact is provided on the surfaceof the carrier and adhered to the electrically conductive adhesivelayer. Since the carrier is relatively stable with respect todeformation, it can therefore also serve as a carrier for the contact.

For a possible retrofit of an electrode according to the invention intoan existing installation it is particularly advantageous -if theinsulating layer is a selfadhesive foil provided with an electricallyconductive adhesive layer. Such self-adhesive foils can be provided witha cover sheet to protect the adhesive until the time of use. The userneed only detach the cover sheet and adhere the remaining self-adhesivefoil via the adhesive onto the desired location of the carrier havingpreviously interposed a contact. If such a foil is not used, then it isof cause also possible to apply the electrically conductive adhesivelayer to the carrier, and then to adhere the insuulating layer to;theadhesive layer.

FIG. 1 shows a car 1, the interior 2 of which is provided with a seat 3for the driver 4. Within the region of roof 5 there will be seen a roofelectrode configura tion 6 with a roof electrode 7. If the positiveterminal of a high voltage d.c. source 8 is attached to roof electrode7, and the negative terminal of that source is connected to the chassisof the car, an electrostatic field arises having lines of force 9.

In view of the relatively high conductivity of the human body comparedto the conductivity of air the lines of force 9 are concentrated in theregion of the head of the driver, the exact configuration of the linesof force 9 depending on the position of the electrodes, the size andform of the intervening space between the electrodes, and other factors.

The novel electrode construction includes an insulated carrier 10, anelectrically adhesive layer 11 and an insulating layer 12. Contact 13 issimply placed on the carrier 10 and adhered thereto with the adhesivelayer 11 which adheres to carrier 10.

It can be clearly seen that adhesive layer 11 acts as the electrode 7 aswell as an attachment means for both the carrier 10 and the insulatinglayer 12. It also holds contact 13 in place and assures electricalcontact between adhesive layer 11 and connecting contact 13.

FIG; 4 shows a self-adhesive foil 14, which is comprised of aninsulating protective layer 12 and an electrically conductive adhesivelayer 11, being addition.- ally covered by protective sheet 15. Part ofselfadhesive foil 14, corresponding to the desired size of theelectrode, is cut off, the protective sheet 15 is peeled off, and theself-adhesive foil 14 is finally applied to the carrier 10, afterpreviously interposing the connecting contact 13.

Electrically conductive adhesive layers are available commercially.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:

1. In a substantially enclosed habitable compartment an air conditioningapparatus comprising, in combination, first and second electrode means;a high-voltage DC. voltage source having terminals of opposite polarityrespectively connected to said first and second electrode means forestablishing therebetween a steady electrostatic field in the interiorof said substantially enclosed habitable compartment, at least one ofsaid electrode means comprising a carrier of electrically insulatingmaterial, a protective cover layer of insulating material facing theinterior of said substantially enclosed habitable compartment, and alayer of electrically conductive adhesive material intermediate saidcover layer and said carrier holding said cover in place on said carrierby adhesive force and being electrically connected to one of saidterminals to serve as the electrode for said one of said electrodemeans.

2. In a substantially enclosed habitable compartment an air conditioningapparatus as defined in claim 1,

wherein said layer of electrically conductive adhesive material has twomajor surfaces and is adhesive at both said major surfaces and is heldin place on said carrier by adhesive contact between said carrier andone of said major surfaces, and wherein said protective cover layer isheld in place on said layer of electrically conductive adhesive materialby adhesive contact with the other of said major surfaces.

3. In a substantially enclosed habitable compartment an air conditioningapparatus as defined in claim 1, said compartment being bounded by atleast one boundary wall structure, and wherein said one of saidelectrode means is mounted on said boundary wall structure, and whereinsaid carrier of electrically insulating material is mounted on butdiscrete from said boundary wall structure.

4. In a substantially enclosed habitable compartment an air conditioningapparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said protective cover layer andsaid layer of electrically conductive adhesive material are discretefrom each other and have facing major surfaces which are in contact witheach other substantially all over said facing major surfaces.

5. In a substantially enclosed habitable compartment an air conditioningapparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said one of said electrodemeans further includes an electrical contact member at least a portionof which is interposed between said carrier and said layer ofelectrically conductive adhesive material, said portion of saidelectrical contact member being covered by said layer of electricallyconductive adhesive material and being electrically connected to thelatter and serving to connect the latter to the respective one of saidterminals.

6. In a substantially enclosed habitable compartment an air conditioningapparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said one of said electrodemeans includes a self-adhesive foil comprised of first and secondadjoining parts respectively constituting said protective cover layerand said layer of electrically conductive adhesive material.

1. In a substantially enclosed habitable compartment an air conditioningapparatus comprising, in combination, first and second electrode means;a high-voltage D.C. voltage source having terminals of opposite polarityrespectively connected to said first and second electrode means forestablishing therebetween a steady electrostatic field in the interiorof said substantially enclosed habitable compartment, at least one ofsaid electrode means comprising a carrier of electrically insulatingmaterial, a protective cover layer of insulating material facing theinterior of said substantially enclosed habitable compartment, and alayer of electrically conductive adhesive material intermediate saidcover layer and said carrier holding said cover in place on said carrierby adhesive force and being electrically connected to one of saidterminals to serve as the electrode for said one of said electrodemeans.
 1. In a substantially enclosed habitable compartment an airconditioning apparatus comprising, in combination, first and secondelectrode means; a high-voltage D.C. voltage source having terminals ofopposite polarity respectively connected to said first and secondelectrode means for establishing therebetween a steady electrostaticfield in the interior of said substantially enclosed habitablecompartment, at least one of said electrode means comprising a carrierof electrically insulating material, a protective cover layer ofinsulating material facing the interior of said substantially enclosedhabitable compartment, and a layer of electrically conductive adhesivematerial intermediate said cover layer and said carrier holding saidcover in place on said carrier by adhesive force and being electricallyconnected to one of said terminals to serve as the electrode for saidone of said electrode means.
 2. In a substantially enclosed habitablecompartment an air conditioning apparatus as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid layer of electrically conductive adhesive material has two majorsurfaces and is adhesive at both said major surfaces and is held inplace on said carrier by adhesive contact between said carrier and oneof said major surfaces, and wherein said protective cover layer is heldin place on said layer of electrically conductive adhesive material byadhesive contact with the other of said major surfaces.
 3. In asubstantially enclosed habitable compartment an air conditioningapparatus as defined in claim 1, said compartment being bounded by atleast one boundary wall structure, and wherein said one of saidelectrode means is mounted on said boundary wall structure, and whereinsaid carrier of electrically insulating material is mounted on butdiscrete from said boundary wall structure.
 4. In a substantiallyenclosed habitable compartment an air conditioning apparatus as definedin claim 1, wherein said protective cover layer and said layer ofelectrically conductive adhesive material are discrete from each otherand have facing major surfaces which are in contact with each othersubstantially all over said facing major surfaces.
 5. In a substantiallyenclosed habitable compartment an air conditioning apparatus as definedin claim 1, wherein said one of said electrode means further includes anelectrical contact member at least a portion of which is interposedbetween said carrier and said layer of electrically conductive adhesivematerial, said portion of said electrical contact member being coveredby said layer of electrically conductive adhesive material and beingelectrically connected to the latter and serving to connect the latterto the respective one of said terminals.